27th November 2008

We left the hotel per usual timings. The first leg of the ride was 30km, 10 through Santa Clara, and 20km on the motorway (yes really!) It went surprisingly quickly and we stopped under a motorway bridge to re-group. The next leg was exceptionally hot, and we had to pee in sugar cane fields (still want that sugar in your tea?!) We gathered for some group photos at the last stop, and put our Women for Women tee shirts on, then into Cienfeugos where once again the Police closed the roads for us, so we cycled as a pack - it was amazing to see - we were fairly near the back and the six of us stayed together all the way, singing 'we are the champions' and other things at the top of our voices! Excellent! We came alongside a lake which was beautiful, then rounded the corner to the finish. It was amazing - so emotional! We had done 80km before lunch, and 390km in the five days. We all cried and congratulated each other, then groups photos were taken on the steps, and presentation to the Cuban team. We were all given our medals too. We had a lovely lunch and then a 3 hour transfer (with Hecter!) to the Occidental Mirimar in Havana. We had a really lovely dinner - we didn't know what to do with ourselves with all the choice! We then had a few drinks in the bar and started concocting the DIY entertainment for the celebration dinner tomorrow. No cycling tomorrow - how bizarre!